Mysore/Mysuru: Forest Department officials have arrested a man for destroying nests and killing 24 Cormorant and Egret chicks. The incident has taken place at Sinduvalli village in the taluk.

Cormorant and Egret birds had built nests on a Peepal Tree at the village where they had laid eggs and had hatched them. But the man, destroyed the nests and killed 24 chicks and seven more chicks are in critical state and are being treated at People for Animals’ (PFA) Hospital in the city.

Forest officials, who rushed to the spot, conducted an inspection and arrested the accused identified as Ravi of the village. Accused Ravi said that as the bird droppings were causing problems, he had destroyed the nests.

When Ravi began to pull down the nests using a hook attached to a long stick, adult birds flew away and 24 chicks died after falling from the tree.

Forest officials told the villagers that any living thing, be it birds or animals have the right to live and it the responsibility of everyone to protect them. Pointing out that it is a crime to kill wild animals and birds, the Forest officials told the villagers to inform them if they come across anyone harming wild animals and birds as they are protected by law.

Range Forest Officer (RFO) K. Surendra, Deputy RFO Mohan Kumar, Forest Watcher Rajegowda and Ganesh were present.